Back-to-School Edition by triumphmagazine

READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

CAMRYN JUSTICE CAMRYN JUSTICE READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

Here We Go!

After enjoying a long, hot, and dry summer, it's sure is great to see all of the things that indicate Fall is on it's way.

Anyone who really knows me, will tell you, Spring and Fall are my favorite seasons. And with Fall approaching, I'm also met with a sense of calm and peace.

Ever since my early days of being a single dad, I gained an appreciation for the peace that comes with the cooler months and the world, seemingly gets back to it's regular scheduled programming:

The sights and sound of the yellow busses rolling through city streets to take children, big and small, to and from school, the quietness of the neighborhood, the peacefulness when most adults are at work; you can finally hear yourself breath and think.

There's no feeling like it.

I stopped into a local store to grab a few household items the other day and the manager shared with me that day was her son's first day back to school. She didn't have to work until later in the day, so she made a breakfast sandwich , had a couple of coffee and relaxed. She looked as though she couldn't have been more pleased with her morning. We all need to occasionally feel that type of peace every once in while.

In this issue we cover a lot of ground. We hear from some of the area's most respected leaders in education. As in every edition at this time of year, we allow some of our most supportive school districts the opportunity to welcome students and families back and give them a glimpse of the excellent school year to

come. (pg. 11) If you don't see your local school district, ask them to support your favorite magazine.

Triumph was welcomed into a local Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at Garfield Heights' Christian Kingdom Assembly for Through the Valley AA Group (pg. 16 ) , it was a sobering experience. No pun intended, truly humbling and it opened my eyes to the reality that many face and we are inspired to let our readers know that you are not alone. There are some great people offering support with all of lifes issues including but not limited to addiction.

And last but not least we tap in with an up and coming tour de force on the Cleveland sports scene, she's making big moves and turning all the right heads...

If you don't know, you'd better ask someone who's serious about C-Town's sports teams —The lovely, talented and contagiously enthusiastic sports fanatic and reporter for Channel 5 WEWS, Ms. Camryn Justice. (pg. 22)

It was great meeting someone who is as excited for the new football season and loves the Cleveland Browns as much as I do.

Here we go Brownies...

Craig S. Brooks, Sr., Publisher

Cleveland's Triumph Magazine

IT'S TIME!: (Above) Another great edition in the books. (left to right) WEWS Reporter Camryn Justice, Triumph publisher, Craig Brooks Sr. and Photographer Darnell McAdams of Raw Glass Photography pose at Progressive Field (page 22)

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LOCAL EDUCATORS '24 WELCOME STUDENTS & FAMILIES!

IT'S TIME FOR THE KIDS TO HEAD BACK-TO-SCHOOL AND SOME OF OUR AREA'S BEST LEADERS IN EDUCATION CAN'T WAIT TO SHARE PLANS FOR A PRODUCTIVE AND SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR :)

"I am a queen, and I demand to be treated like a queen."

— Sheila Jackson Lee

Sheila Jackson Lee (January 12, 1950 – July 19, 2024)

Jackson Lee was an American lawyer and politician who was the U.S. representative for Texas's 18th congressional district, from 1995 until her death in 2024. The district includes most of central Houston.

Quotables

Bottom line: if you show a genuine interest in learning about how others became successful, you can open up a world of opportunities."

-Armstrong Williams

Here the politician commentator and author emphasizes that having all the answers, set plan and resources are secondary to simply first possessing the desire to seek being great.

“As long as we are not ourselves, we will try to be what other people are.”

– Malidoma Patrice Somé

In succinct fashion the west african author warns that if you do not embrace your own uniqueness you will be doomed to be a cheap fabrication of someone else.

“Don’t just teach your kids to read, teach them to question what they read. Teach them to question everything!”

– George Carlin

In this brief tidbit, the comedian and social philosopher points out the importance of not solely learning and mimicking but actually searching for deeper truths and genuine value.

News in Real Estate

Cleveland, once dubbed the "Mistake on the Lake," is experiencing a remarkable resurgence that savvy real estate investors can't afford to ignore. This Midwest gem offers a unique blend of affordability, growth potential, and strong rental demand that makes it an attractive market for both novice and seasoned investors.

Affordability Meets Opportunity

One of Cleveland's most compelling attributes is its affordability. With average home prices 39% lower than the national average, investors can enter the market with relatively low capital. This accessibility allows for diverse investment strategies, from buy-and-hold to fix-andflip opportunities.

Strong Rental Market

Cleveland's rental market is particularly robust, with 59% of housing being renter-occupied. This high percentage translates to steady demand for rental properties, making long-term rentals a lucrative option for investors. The BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) method has proven especially effective in Cleveland's market, allowing investors to build substantial portfolios over time. Clevelanders have allowed Corporate, Overseas, and Out of State Investors feast on Cleveland housing stock for way to long and not claim a piece of cash cow that has a proven track record for increasing wealth for others.

A mindset shift is important when getting started as well as connecting with others in the Cleveland area who

are already investing to speed up your learning curve process and gain access to additional resources like funding.

Funding is one of the reasons that prevent folks from getting started investing. At Brick House Realty we have several options to purchase, renovate, and refinance your property. The folks outside of Ohio have cracked the code and it is time for more Ohioans to join in before such opportunities dry up.

When investing, consider factors like property appreciation rates, repair costs, property taxes, and location. By leveraging Cleveland's affordable real estate market and strong rental demand, investors can implement various strategies to build wealth through real estate in this Cleveland market.

Cleveland's economy is diversifying beyond its industrial roots. The healthcare sector, led by the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic, is a major employer which creates a housing need. While the opportunities are abundant, investors should be aware of potential challenges. Some areas still struggle with population decline, and property taxes can be high in certain neighborhoods and for this reason you should seek local experts such as the team at Brick House Realty with 2 decades of experience to assist you with A-Z. Call today: 216-220-7886

Andrea Wilson, MBA Broker —Brick House Realty

The Maltz Museum’s 17th Annual Stop the Hate® program officially launches on Wednesday, September 11, for the 2024/2025 school year. Stop the Hate provides a platform for Northeast Ohio students to speak out against hate while competing for $100,000 in scholarships, grants, and prizes. The program is open to students and schools in Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, and Wayne counties— and new this year, Ashland, Erie, and Huron counties.

How does Stop the Hate work?

The Stop the Hate program provides educational resources, workshops, and two contests: Youth Speak Out, an essay writing contest, and Youth Sing Out, a songwriting contest. Both give Northeast Ohio students in 6th-12th grade a way to paint their vision of a more accepting, inclusive society and speak out against bias and bigotry as they compete for awards.

The program provides students with tools to explore what it means to be a bystander, upstander, or perpetrator, while examining events like the Holocaust, the Civil Rights Movement, and more. Reflecting on this history, students explore their own experiences with bias and discrimination, then consider how they can be leaders in creating positive change in their communities.

Learn more about the program

What prizes are awarded?

Youth

Speak Out Essay Contest

Top-scoring students receive individual awards and trophies, and their schools receive anti-bias education grants.

Awards for Grades 11 & 12:

Grand Prize Winner: $20,000 scholarship

+ $5,000 grant for their school.

First Runner Up: $10,000 scholarship + $2,000 grant for their school.

Second Runner Up: $5,000 scholarship + $2,000 grant for their school.

(7) Honorable Mentions: $1,000 cash prize + $500 grant for their schools.

Awards for Grades 6-10:

1st Place winners in each grade: $400 cash prize

Runner Up in each grade: $100 cash prize

Youth Sing Out Song Contest

Winners in middle and high school song categories receive anti-bias education grants:

1st Place in both categories receive a $3,500 grant.

Runner Up in both categories receive a $2,000 grant.

All classes who participate receive recognition. Students and schools will receive congratulatory upstander certificates that can be printed and displayed in their classrooms and schools.

Anti-Bias Community Grants

Educators in Northeast Ohio, dedicated to anti-bias education and learning in their school communities, can apply for one of three anti-bias community grants. Each grant is $6,000. Applications are open to all educators within the program’s 15-county reach. Learn how you can apply or contact Courtney Krieger at ckrieger@mmjh.org or 216-593-0593.

How do I get started?

Attend the Stop the Hate Open House. Join the Maltz Museum team as we kick off the 17th Annual Stop the Hate Program. Northeast Ohio students, parents, and educators committed to creating a more inclusive society will hear keynote speaker, Kerrie Taber, share a personal story about her Lithuanian grandfather's actions during World War II. Kerrie has come to realize that to stop the spread of hate, we need to respond to hate in our own communities. Come listen as she explains how, meet our partners and 2024 finalists, get information about this year's program, explore the museum, and more!

Where: Maltz Museum, 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, Ohio 44122

When: Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 5 pm - 7 pm

The Maltz Museum Launches the Stop The Hate® Program for the 2024/2025 School Year.

Students

Students in grades 6 -12 may submit a personal narrative reflecting on a provided prompt. Essays should be 500 words or less and may be submitted by students who participate in workshops or on an individual basis.

• Learn more about writing your essay

• Meet past winners

Educators

Help your students get the most out of the Stop the Hate program through our free writing workshops (for essays and/or poetry) with our partner, Lake Erie Ink. In-person or virtual workshops are available for classes 15+.

About Stop the Hate:

Over 8,000 students participate in the Stop the Hate program each year, and about 3,000 students enter the prestigious contest. With the help of 400 volunteer readers, the contest names 32 finalists, the area’s top schools, and two Teachers of the Year awards. Since the contest started, over 50,000 students have participated and $1.6 million has been awarded to students and schools.

In 2025, the total amount of scholarships, prizes, and anti-bias education grants awarded through the contest to Northeast Ohio students, teachers, and schools will be $1.7 million. The Maltz Museum’s Stop the Hate program is made possible through the generous support of board and committee members, volunteer readers and judges, sponsors and partners, and our members and visitors. For more information about the program please visit Learn.maltzmuseum.org or contact education@mmjh.org.

About the Maltz Museum:

Rooted in the Jewish value of respect for all humanity, the Maltz Museum explores diverse stories of courage from history and today to promote a more inclusive tomorrow. The Museum receives support from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, and the Ohio Arts Council. For tickets call 216-593-0575 or visit www.maltzmuseum.org

STOP THE HATE OPEN HOUSE

g Get Up, Get Out! Event Listings

Compiled by Bakari Simpson

Aug 23

Samara Joy

As she is young, gifted and black, 24-year old Granny winning songstress Samara Joy will be sure to captivate all in attendance at this one day event. Cain Park Amphitheater, cainpark.com

Aug 29

Pitbull w/special guest T-Pain

Vibrant and exciting rap artist Pitbull will be in town for one night only to electrify the audience with his infectious bilingual style. Blossom Music Center, clevelandamphitheater.com

Aug 30-Sept 2

Cleveland Taco Fest

If a family friendly event that is submerged in tacos, beer, music and fun is up your alley then this four day outing is a must for you and yours. Jacobs Pavilion, tacofestcle.com

Aug 31

Cirque de la Symphonie

If you are in the mood for world class spectacle, waste no time copping a ticket to see this wonderful blend of music, acrobats, jugglers, magicians and many other talented circus acts Blossom Music Center, clevelandamphitheater. com.

Aug 31

17th Annual Music Festival

Music enthusiasts will want to rush to this fun and diverse event featuring the smooth vocal chords of Kenny Lattimore, Grammy award winning keyboardist Jeff Lorber and jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum. Cain Park Amphitheater, cainpark.com

Sept 4

Learn Tarot

For those looking to sharpen their skills with pulling, reading and better understanding tarot cards this is a sure fire gathering for you. 8398 Kinsman, allevents.in

Sept 6-7

Mark Curry

OG actor, host and comedian Mark Curry, who has appeared on The Jamie Foxx Show, Black

Jesus, House of Payne and of course Hangin

With Mr. Cooper, will bring his truck load to jokes to town for just two short days. Funny Bone Comedy Club, cleveland.funnybone.com

Sept 6-7

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live

If you love big engines, big tires, big noise and big fun this is two-day Monster Truck rally is a can't miss hit for you and your family. Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com

Sept 13

Nicki Minaj

Undeniably one of the hottest acts current touring the country, gorgeous, talented and lyrically diverse Nicki Minaj will hit the stage to dazzle her fans for one unforgettable performance. Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com

Sept 13-14

Bruce, Bruce

Actor and comedic powerhouse Bruce, Bruce is coming to Cleveland for two-nights of splitting sides and jumping on funny bones so be sure to be in the house. Funny Bone Comedy Club cleveland.funnybone.com.

Sept 13-14

Journey of Psychic & Health Fair

Fans of the spirit realm will certainly want to mark down this gala featuring astrology, mediums, tarot cards, palmistry, spiritual coaches, body & energy workers and a slew of vendors. Residence Inn, thisiscleveland.com

Sept 14-15

Bluey’s Big Play

For all those parents looking to pacify their high octane tykes for a few pleasant hours, this delightful stage performance should be just what the doctor ordered. Playhouse, tickets. playhousesquare.org

Sept 15

Ohio Comic Con

Comic buffs will get their full monies worth at this robust convention featuring thousands

of comics, anime and toys for sale along with many other surprises. Woodside Event Center, fancons.com

Sept 21

Cleveland Gaming Classic

This over the top event will be overflowing with games, new and classic, to purchase, music, events and a small army of cosplayers brandishing their finest costumes so be sure to be in the house. I-X Center, gamecleveland.com.

Sept 28

Festival of Laughs

Comedy lovers will not want to miss this one of kind show feature legendary joke slingers Don “DC” Curry, Tony Rock, Tony Roberts, Lavell Crawford and the queen of comedy Sommore. Playhouse Square, playhousesquare.org.

Sept 21-22

Arts & Cultural Festival

Come partake in the 25th season of this family friendly symposium that features fine art, sculptures, original jewelry, musicians, children’s activities and numerous food booths. Tremont Park, experiencetremont.com.

Sept 28

Food Truck Challenge

Foodies from all walks of life should flock to this event like the Bat signal as there will be a diverse array of the finest food truck around competing to prove that they are the tastiest operation in town. Crocker Park, crockerpark.com.

Sept 28

The Lox

Hip-hop fans will want to be be all in on this 30th year celebration of the notorious rap group The Lox. Masonic Temple, templelive.com.

Sept 21

Nate Jackson

Creative and witty comedianNate Jackson, who is well known for his popular “crowd work” shows, is bringing his rib-tickling routine to Cleveland for a one special engagement. Agora Theatre & Ballroom, agoracleveland.com.

Oct 1

Back - toSchool

Back to Business

Bring on the fun!

That's right, fun. For many, school is fun. As a parent, a bus driver and as someone who has provided instruction to students I can attest to the fact, there are children that are not only exited to get back to friends, but that love their teachers and are equally excited to learn.

It's important that we continue to make education exciting and joyful for our children, young and older.

I speak with students of all ages daily and some say they don't like school, but when pressed on the subject many struggle to put a finger on any real reason. And after brief conversation there's usually something they love about school.

We have to be vigilant and make sure that students know they have our support and share with them the positive memories of school and encourage them to enjoy.

Many bus drivers, teachers and administrators are equally excited to get back to working with students daily. Turning them on to new information that can open up a whole new world for them and encouraging them to be the best they can be.

I was a late bloomer, as far as education is concerned, but I remember the relentless

teachers, counselors and administrators that challenged me and found creative ways to engage me.

Honestly, I credit some of those educators with helping unlock the potential I had within. Potential that may have otherwise lay dormant, creativity that may have never been discovered.

From early creative writing exercises, that lead to awards for story writing, art teachers that look outside of their curriculum to allow my creativity to be graded based on aptitude and not attitude, (mine was bad).

Finally, it was a team effort made by my high school assistant principal, Dr. Fulton, my counselor, Mrs. Nailing and history teacher, Mr. Barracoto that worked together to push me over the finish line that not only helped me graduate high school, but served as a repeated jolt of confidence and an eternal reminder that I can do anything I put my mind to, if I put in the work.

The next few pages serve as a reminder that there are teachers, administrators and superintendents that value our children and support our community.

Enjoy and take pride in their presence!

TRIUMPH MAGAZINE

School

As the Superintendent of the Richmond Heights Local School District, I am thrilled to lead Spartan Nation to yet another exciting school year! The start of this year has been nothing short of phenomenal, and I am incredibly proud of how our community has come together to support our students.

Under our new mantra, "One Vision, One Mission, One Richmond," we are united in our commitment to moving toward the future as one—both school and city. This spirit of unity was on full display during our recent events. Our Cuts and Curls hairstyling event, in collaboration with the Richmond police, provided free haircare for our boys and girls, ensuring they stepped into the new school year with confidence. Our Back to School Extravaganza was another tremendous success, bringing together local vendors and businesses for a day of community celebration and a school supply giveaway. We also proudly celebrated the ribboncutting of our newly grant-funded Outdoor Learning Center and Makerspace at the elementary school. This space will offer our students innovative opportunities to explore and create, further enhancing their educational experience. We are hoping to provide our elementary students with a 21st-century learning space in the future that expands upon our current grant work that has been realized. This school year promises to be more than we could hope for as we continue to uplift our students and community. Together, we are forging a brighter future, and I am excited to see all the incredible things we will achieve. Here's to a year of growth, collaboration, and success!

One Vision, One Mission, One Richmond

Dr. Marnisha Renee Brown

Superintendent, Richmond Heights Local School District

TRIUMPH MAGAZINE

one day at a time

Having braved his own spiritual and chemical war to be reborn a better man, father and Christian, AA group leader Gene Williams is now laser focused of salvaging as many others as he possibly can as many others as he possibly can.

words by Bakari Simpson

Photos by @rawglassphotography

TThe Transformation From Human Hurricane To Spiritual Refurbisher

hroughout America there is a long existing and growing epidemic of alcohol abuse. This alarming ailment proliferates through the populace with no respect for race, age or economic background. Further complicating the situation, large scores of people don’t even recognize their affliction while countless others, who do see the need for change, hide their struggles from the world.

This is precisely why dedicated individuals such as Gene Williams are of such vital importance to the community.

Born and raised in Cleveland, but now residing in Warrensville, Gene Williams, 52, is himself a recovering alcoholic. Yet, through diligence, scathing personal evaluation and seeking the appropriate help, Williams has enjoyed eight years of hard fought sobriety. To achieve his current state of clarity and strength, Williams found great aid in the church and programs such as AA. Through these institutions he was supplied with the tools to face and then tame his own demons.

“Throughout that process I’ve also grown spiritually, I’ve grown spiritually to the point that I realized I have a gifting in this area as it relates to speaking with and helping people overcome addiction.”

While on his journey, Gene recognized that he had a powerful talent for reaching and mentoring others who were wrestling with their own problems with alcohol. So, in seeking to give back and become more effective in his messaging, Williams began talking shop with Monroe Johnson, the pastor of his church Christian Kingdom Assembly. Roughly six months after these discussions began Williams launched his own AA series called ‘Through The Valley,’ which is hosted at his church located on 12700 Broadway Avenue.

“I would like to see people attend, even if you’re having a thought or inkling that you may be struggling with alcohol and drugs to come and give us a try, give us a shot. To see if we can help, to see if we can help you realize that you may need some help because you are not in it alone. There are other people in that same spot, you just need to hear it and see it.”

THE TRANSFORMATION CHAMBER OF GOING FROM ASHY TO CLASSY

Now approaching its one year anniversary, Williams is extremely proud of the work and camaraderie that’s been established. Having walked the arduous path of addiction himself, Williams understands the specific challenges and daily grit that is required to achieve and maintain sobriety. Due to this personal life experience, Gene believes one of his

one day at a time one day at a time

greatest capabilities in assisting those in the throes of addiction is being able to see past the impaired person in their present state and envisioning the individual once they’ve emerged from their spiritual crypt.

“When you look at a person in the grips of addiction you don’t see them as their natural self, you see them in the midst of their addiction, you have to be a visionary to see them delivered. They might be tattered, in shambles and smelly and nappy hair, but when you look at them you got to see them standing there with a cocktail dress on, heels, hair popped, make-up, smelling like a bed of roses! You got to see him with a tuxedo on and his tuxedo shoes, pocket square and a bow-tie. You can’t see him with holey dirty sweat pants on and a dirty white t-shirt, so dirty that it looks gray. You have to see that good nature, that remnant of good nature that’s in them that needs to be fed so that they actually see or come to that place where they can be delivered from their addiction. So a lot of it goes back to the sensitivity and the gifting.”

This is vital because very often, when people are at the mercy of their selfdestructive behaviors it’s common to find that they have already burned many bridges by alienating core people in their lives. And as a result, many of those would-be functional family and friends are no longer willing to continuously invest the time and necessary energy to see the addict through their lengthy and complicated trial.

“My name is Gene Williams, I’m a recovering addict, alcoholic and I have been sober for eight years now and my desire to remain sober is rooted and grounded in a better relationship with my higher power, with my God. And I’d like to share my God with the rest of us people who have struggled with addiction, whether it be alcohol or drugs, come and see us.

This is why being armed with his rose-colored glasses, along with a mighty dedication, Williams has begun growing a group of recovering addicts that is very diverse racially and in terms of age. It should also be noted that while the main theme of his sessions are obviously geared toward those struggling with alcohol, Through The Valley happily opens its arms and doors to anyone suffering from any addiction whatsoever. Another aspect of being a new group that may be favorable to some wanting help is that, while expanding, the gathering is still on the smaller side. At least when compared to longer standing and more established sessions. So, for those who would prefer a bit more intimacy this should make for a cozy fit.

“Right now they come from the

community, they come from all different parts of town. Right now from the church body there is two people, for the most part they come from all parts of town, a couple from the court, a couple come from the sober house and couple come because they do the rooms, they do the meetings to maintain their sobriety, they’re not court ordered, they come because they need that meeting as their support.”

We’re all in it together!

Without question the battle of addiction whether personal or helping another is no easy feat. So, for those seeking help, Through The Valley would most certainly be a great place to find solace, shelter and like-minded community. Just as important, as resources are typically hard to come by for those with a desire to help this very worthy cause, it is imperative that members of the greater community at large donate whatever time and money they can to help ensure this wonderful program is as long lasting and far reaching as humanly possible!

“My name is Gene Williams, I’m a recovering addict, alcoholic and I have been sober for eight years and my desire to remain sober is rooted and grounded in a better relationship with my higher power, with my God. And I’d like to share my God with the rest of us people who have struggled with addiction, whether it be alcohol or drugs, come and see us, come and see me Thursdays at 7:30."

The Splendid Art of Passionate Interrogation The Splendid Art of Passionate Interrogation

In a city dominated by its sports fans, news reporter Camryn Justice has stormed the media scene and proved herself to be one of the most reliable breaths of fresh air in quite some time words by Bakari Simpson photos by @rawglassphotography

COVERING CLEVELAND

Camryn Justice stands at the media stage in Barea where she regularly reports on all matters related Cleveland Browns.

In a city dominated by its sports fans, news reporter Camryn Justice has stormed the media scene and proved herself to be one of the most reliable breaths of fresh air in quite some time

As any native or well established Cleveland resident will tell you, this is most certainly a sports town. A city where hometown loyalty is upheld with an icy seriousness. It doesn't matter whether it’s football, basketball, baseball, soccer or even hockey, if you support a team, or all of them, you’re more than likely a ten toes down die hard fan. Yet, just like in any long time marriage, this dedication very often comes with its own built-in bumps and bruises. And this is something that the well accomplished and highly decorated Cleveland sports journalist Camryn Justice can attest to. Even though she is technically an Akron native, where she spent her formative years, Justice always had a connection to the city of Cleveland via sports. In fact, reaching back to her earliest tangible memories, whenever she traveled to Cleveland it was for the expressed purpose of attending a sporting event. Despite her warm affinity for watching professional athletics, Camryn Justice, 31, did not engage in many sports herself

“I think Cleveland has a really good sports energy, three really great professional teams with players across every roster who are super respectful and really good people in the locker room and club houses, people I really enjoy seeing.

You know and a friendly, ‘hi!’ When you go to work and the co-worker, they’re not my coworkers but they sometimes they make you feel like it.”

outside of soccer and a brief stint in football.

This was unfortunately due to being relegated to outcast status during her junior high and high school years. As a biracial child, and being only one of a handful of people of color in her school, it was easy to single out and berate her. Regularly browbeaten and left stranded in a sinking vortex of isolation, Camryn was far from gung-ho about pursuing her own athletic endeavors. While these were certainly

trying and difficult times, much like the turbulent history of Cleveland’s sport teams, this did anything but break her.

A

sword tempered by hammer and fire

Instead of whimpering or crumbling, Justice built an internal fortitude and resolved herself to find her own tribe and path that would lead to the happiness she knew was there to be had. When she began college, at the University of Akron, her circumstances quickly improved as her social life began to flourish and the toxic elements evaporated. Yet, while she did enjoy much of her course work, Camryn hadn’t found anything she felt comfortable dedicating her life too. As a result, she would drop out for two years to figure things out.

Thankfully for her, and many sports fans, Justice connected her love of athletics and a potential career in media together. Realizing she could pursue this natural passion professionally, she returned to the University of Akron refocused and revitalized. Feeling that she had lost time and was playing from behind, Camryn applied her ferocious work ethic to her course work and became a dynamic

A ONE-WOMAN TEAM! Justice writes, records, interviews and edits her material before it appears on television in your home's room of choice.

student.

While still in college, she and some of her new friends regularly obtained credentials to first cover the Cavs, then the Guardians and finally Browns games. During this period Justice found that she was acutely adept at and greatly enjoyed print journalism, creating digital media and most of all conducting live interviews.

Armed with this revelation, Justice sought to emulate the careers of media personalities such as Allie Clifton, Mina Kimes and the legendary Doris Burke with a new focused fervor. Once on her mission, and still in school, the tenacious Justice would go on to work at country radio station WQMX and intern at Fox Sports Ohio. To no surprise but very impressive, her first job after graduating was secured at channel 5 WEWS!

The art of facilitating room to grow

Since assuming her reporter position at News 5 Cleveland Justice has covered

everything from crime, weather and even traffic. Along with this, of course, she has become a staple of covering sports and through this aspect she has become a fixture at the Browns stadium. Now, having forged her dream job into her living reality, the next milestone that Camryn would like to achieve is having the opportunity to cover one of our home teams winning a championship. However, that is out of her hands and will simply have to come her way naturally.

Until that day arrives Justice will continue honing her craft and doing her best to continue breaking down barriers for other female newscasters looking to make their way into the industry. Admittedly, there has already been a substantial amount of work done in this area. Nevertheless, just as the aforementioned Allie Clifton was a great aid to her during her own collegiate tenure, Camryn Justice is always on the hunt for an opportunity to cast a hand out to lift up the next talented journalist into their premiere position of influence.

While on this search for those to populate the next generation of journalists, Justice remains a sterling example of how one should carry themselves. Of all the various forms of media, particularly sports, that she covers it is undeniable that she is a unique gem. Yet, her polish and quality shines fiercely bright when covering football and the Browns.

Her passion, craft and care is evident in not only her preparation, poise and delivery but also in how the players themselves respond to her. A large part of this symbiotic relationship stems from the fact that while of course she is there to discuss football, Camryn is very conscious about letting them express other avenues of their lives which in turn is greatly appreciated by the athletes.

“I think the interview is my favorite part because it allows you, especially with the stories I really like to do, the ones that interest me in particular are not even about the sport it is. It’s about who these players, these athletes are as people, as humans and the features, getting to know

TAKING THE CITY BY STORM: Camryn Justice reports daily on the status of your beloved teams, including the Cleveland Browns, Guardians and Cavaliers. This includes regular interaction with some of sports most magnetic and exciting talents. It's a dream when your work is doing what you love.

them on a different level and not just on the field [...]I think it, one, allows you to know them on a different level. They are not just a player in a game, they are a person with a family, with a life, with interests and some of those interests they are just as passionate about as the sport they play for a living. And it’s really fun to kind of explore that and allow them a platform to talk about something that maybe they don’t always get to talk about [...] Sometimes they want to talk about the things they're interested in, so to have someone give them a platform to do it, it makes me feel good and like I have a really cool job that allows other people to maybe feel like their other interests and hopes and dreams and goals and accomplishments are also being seen outside of what they are doing on a field or on a court.”

Iron sharpens iron

Along with being knowledgeable and charged up about her dealings with the Browns, Justice is very up-front and

fond about the level of professionalism and warmth that the organization exudes. This is an aspect of their dealings that goes a long way into fostering great relationships and results in the informative and productive interviews that are later captured on film.

“I think Cleveland has a really good sports energy, three really great professional teams with players across every roster who are super respectful and really good people in the locker room and club houses, people I really enjoy seeing. You know and a friendly, ‘hi!’ When you go to work and the coworker, they’re not my co-workers but they sometimes make you feel like it.”

In the end, it’s rather fitting that Camryn Justice has fostered the reputation and relationships that she has with Cleveland’s sports teams and with the Browns in particular. Just like the gridiron gladiators, Justice was forced to brave many years being the brunt of the joke and maliciously labeled as second best. Yet, determination, faith and

back breaking dedication to craft have resulted in a world class reporter who’s manifested her wildest dreams and a team on the edge of true greatness. If you were not previously familiar with Camryn and her work, do yourself a favor and check her out during this upcoming football season. Her chemistry with the Browns will be sure to make you a fan. And hopefully, if there is some sense of universal poetic justice, Camryn Justice will realize her final dream by covering the Browns win the Super Bowl. So stay tuned because that would be one wild ride for us all!

Making a name for herself: Justice (pictured) stylishly, covers the Browns during mini-camp, training camp and during the regular season. Look for her reports on WEWS Channel 5, Cleveland Browns youtube channel and also follow her on IG: @CamJustice.